Support leg structure for multi-position table

ABSTRACT

An approved support leg structure for a multi-position folding table provides for greater stability of the table in its various positions while, at the same time, rendering the table more useful by removing vertical leg obstructions at the primary use positions.

United States Patent [191 Hansen et a1.

[ June 18, 1974 SUPPORT LEG STRUCTURE FOR MULTI-POSITION TABLE [75] Inventors: James G. Hansen, La Grange; Dale E. Fahnstrom, Riverside, both of 111.

[73] Assignee: Source, Inc., Riverside, 111. [22] Filed: Apr. 26, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 247,695

[52] US. Cl. 108/79, 248/167 [51] Int. Cl A47b l/00 [58] Field of Search 108/64, 79, 102, 103; 248/167 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 358,836 3/1887 Casler 248/167 965,194 7/1910 Karbiner 248/167 1,067,223 7/1913 Kjelsoe 248/167 3,162,149 12/1964 Hansen 108/79 3,246,614 4/1966 Loesch 108/79 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,262,364 4/1961 France 108/79 748,737 5/1956 Great Britain 108/79 Primary Examiner-Bobby R. Gay

Assistant Examiner-Darrell Marquette Attorney, Agent, or FirmDawson, Tilton, Fallon & Lungmus [57] ABSTRACT An approved support leg structure for a multi-position folding table provides for greater stability of the table in its various positions while, at the same time, rendering the table more useful by removing vertical leg obstructions at the primary use positions.

2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUN 18 m4 SHEET ZflF 2 Fig. 4

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SUPPORT LEG STRUCTURE FOR MULTI-POSITION TABLE BACKGROUND The present invention relates to folding tables; and

more particularly, it relates to an improved leg support structure for a multi-position folding table. I A folding table of the type with which the present invention is concerned is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,162,149 of James G. Hansen, issued Dec. 22, 1964. As disclosed therein, the table has two similar sections pivotally secured together at a peripheral location on the table so that the two sections may be rotated relative to each other about a vertical axis. Each of these side sections of the table includes a leg support and a table top. Preferably, the table top sections are further hinged to their associated leg supports so that they may be folded about a horizontal axis and thus assume a minimum space for storage.

The table top sections may be of semi-circular, triangular, rectangular or other geometrical shape. However, it is preferred that the two sections have an elongated common straight edge so that in its closed position, the table provides a large, convenient contiguous use area. The term closed refers to the closing of the top sections in their horizontal or use position, and not to the folded or storage position in which the top sections are vertical. Byvirtue of hinging the supporting frames for the table top sections, the table may be arranged in many different positions to serve different functions. In one position (the closed position), the two top sections are butted together to form a large use area, as mentioned. In another position, one top section may be rotated 90 relative to the other to thereby provide separate work and storage areas. In a third position (the open position), one section may be rotated 180 relative to the other to thereby form an elongated table for use, for example, against a wall. There is a continuum of relative positions between the closed and open positions for the top sections.

The leg support units disclosed in theabove patent include vertical legs which are positioned along the perimeter of the table top sections. For example, in the use of semi-circular table top sections, vertical legs appear at each cornerand at the peripheral mid-position of each semi-circular section. Vertical legs appear at similar positions if the table top sections are rectangular in form and the abutting line is along the longitudinal edge of each rectangular form. This leg structure is satisfactory for use with table top sections of semicircular shape because a person can easily sit at the table without encountering a vertical leg obstruction by placing himself between two table legs. However, if the table top sections are rectangular in form wherein the longer side of each rectangle is twice the length of the shorter side (so as to form a square table when butted together) vertical legs appear at the center of each side when the table is in its closed position. Thus, a seated user must either straddle a vertical leg or sit at the corner of the square table. Such leg support structures have limited use with a square table surface unless the table is not intended to accommodate a person in the closed position.

The present invention provides a leg support structure for a portable, multi-position folding table which includes separate upright support or frame sections. Each support section includes upper and lower horizontal frame members joined together by vertical legs which are displaced inwardly of the outer edges. The support sections are pivotally connected together at a common end of the upper and lower horizontal frame members so that the sections of the table may be placed in either a closed position, an open position, or in any intermediate position, as desired. A gate leg section is connected at its mid-section to each support section for pivotal motion about a vertical axis so that it may be swung against its associated support section for storage or, alternatively, placed at right angles to it in the use position. Each gate leg section also includes an upper and a lower horizontal frame member joined together by a vertical leg which may be displaced inwardly of the distal end thereof to eliminate any vertical leg obstruction to a person seated at any position of the table.

In still another embodiment, all of the vertical leg members are located at or adjacent to the location at which a gate section is connected to its associated support section, thus forming a central pedestal for the table in its fully closed position.

In a third embodiment, the height of the gate leg units is less than the height of their associated support units, and they swing into a common plane with their associated support units in the storage position, thereby further minimizing the space assumed in storage.

It has been found that the improved leg support constructions of this invention greatly enhance the stability of the multi-position table sections, whether they are joined together to form a single table, or are split apart in any intermediate position or the fully open position while, at the same time, minimizing vertical leg obstruction to a user seated at the periphery of the table. Further, leg support structures constructed according to the present invention permit securing the leg gates to the frame sections at both an upper and a lower position, and this further enhances rigidity and stability.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to persons skilled in the art from the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention accompanied by the attached drawing.

THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a leg support structure for a folding multi-position table incorporating the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a leg support structure incorporating the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a third embodiment of a leg support structure incorporating the present invention; and

FIGS. 4 and 5 are plan views of a table employing the leg support structure of FIG. 2 with rectangular top sections showing the fully closed and half-open positions respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring first to FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 generally designates a leg support structure which includes first and second vertical frame sections designated respectively l1 and 12. The vertical frame section 11 includes upper and lower horizontal frame members 14 and 15, joined at their ends by vertical leg members 16 and 17 respectively.

The upright frame section 12 also includes upper and lower horizontal frame members, designated respectively I8 and I9, and first and second upright leg members 2i]! and 2I connected to their respective ends. Any suitable rigid material may be used to construct the leg support structures disclosed herein.

The upright frame sections II, I2 are connected by means of upper and lower hinger (the upper one being designated 22 in FIG. 1) which are located at adjacent ends of the pair of upper horizontal frame members 14, 18 and the lower pair of horizontal frame members II, I2 respectively. Alternatively, for the embodiment of FIG. I a continuous hinge may be used.

A first leg gate, generally designated 24, is pivotally connected to the upright frame section II for pivotal motion between the open position shown and a closed position in which it is nested within the section II. That is to say, the leg gate 24 is in the general shape of a C, including upper and lower horizontal frame members 25 and 2s, and a vertical leg member 27 connected to the outboard ends thereof. The inner ends of the horizontal frame members 25, 26 are connected by means of hinge pins (the lower one being illustrated and designated 28 in FIG. I) at the mid-section of the upper and lower horizontal frame members 14, IS. The overall height of the leg gate 24 is less than the vertical separation between the horizontal frame members I4, I of the upright frame section II so that when the leg gate 24 is pivoted to its storage position, the horizontal upper frame member of the leg gate 24 will be positioned directly below the upper horizontal frame member I4 of the section II. Thus, the entire leg gate 24 nests within the upright frame section II in the storage position.

First and second stop members 30 and 31 are connected respectively to the top and the bottom of the leg gate 24 at the outboard end thereof. The upper stop member 3U has a laterally bent portion 32 which overlies the top of the horizontal frame member I4 when the leg gate 24 is swung to its storage position and which supports a table top when the leg gate is opened. Similarly, the lower stop member 31 includes a laterally extending foot 33 which underlies the lower horizontal frame member I5 of the section II. Support buttons 34 secured to the top and bottom of each end of the support sections II, 112 level the frame and the top sections relative to the stop members 30, 3I. The lower stop member 3I also serves a dual functionthat is, when the leg gate 24 is pivoted at right angles to the upright frame section II, the foot 33 rests on the floor and bears any weight supported by the leg gate 243.

A second leg gate generally designated 35 is similar to the leg gate 24 in structure, and it is connected to the mid-sections of the horizontal frame members I8 and 19 of the other upright frame section I2. When viewed from the top, the leg gate 35 rotates counterclockwise to its storage position, and it nests within the upright frame section 12 in the storage position. Since the leg gate 35 is otherwise identical to the previously described leg gate 24, it need not be described in further detail in order to understand the invention.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a second embodiment of the inventive leg support structure is illustrated. It includes first and second upright frame or support sections generally designated and SI which are identical in structure. The section SI includes upper and lower horizontal frame members 52 and 53 and first and second vertical leg members 54 and 55 which interconnect the horizontal frame members 52, 53, but are spaced inwardly of the ends thereof by a distance approximately one-quarter of their length. Similarly, the section 52 includes upper and lower horizontal frame members 56 and 57 and inwardly spaced upright leg sections 58 and 59. One end of each of the horizontal upper frame members 52 and 56 are connected by means of a hinge 60, and similarly, the same end of the lower horizontal frame members 53, 57 are connected by means of a hinge fill.

A leg gate generally designated by reference numeral 62 includes upper and lower horizontal frame members 63 and 64 connected together by means of a vertical leg 65 secured to their mid-sections. The inboard ends of the horizontal frame members 63, 64 are connected to the mid-sections of the horizontal frame members 52, 53 by means of hinges 67, 66.

A similar leg gate 68 is connected to the mid-sections of the upper and lower horizontal frame members 56, 57 of the upright support section SI.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the upright leg sections are located approximately midway between the center of the table and the ends of the horizontal upper and lower frame members so that if the table is in a fully closed position with l X 2 rectangular table top sections, so as to form a square table top in the fully closed position, users may be seated at the center of each side without obstruction from the vertical legs, as illustrated in FIG. 4. As shown therein the l X 2 rectangular table top sections are designated respectively 70 and 7], and the table is shown in its fully closed position. In the half-open position, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a person may be seated at the inboard edge of either of the table top sections and likewise encounter no vertical leg obstruction because the vertical legs are displaced outwardly from the center of the table. This construction has been found not only to provide greater utility in all use positions, but it has been found to be advantageous in stabilizing the table tops in these use positions.

The mounting of the table top sections 70, 71 (or the semi-circular table top sections, if desired) to their associated leg support structures may be the same as has been disclosed in my previously identified patent.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown an embodiment of the invention wherein the vertical leg supports form a central pedestal. First and second upright leg support sections are generally denoted ISII and ISI. In this embodiment. the upright leg sections I50 and ISI are in the form of an H resting on its side. The section I50 includes upper and lower horizontal frame members I52 and I53 joined by a central vertical leg I54. Similarly, the supporter section ISI includes upper and lower horizontal frame members I55, I56 and a vertical central leg I58.

A leg gate I60 in the form of a C has its vertical back loll connected to the center of the upright support section by means of an upper hinge I62 and a lower hinge, not shown. Similarly, a leg gate I63 is connected to the section I51 by means of an upper hinge I64 and a lower hinge.

The distal ends of the upper and lower horizontal frame member of each section I50, ISI are connected together by means of upper and lower hinges 166, whereby the two support sections I50, 151 may be positioned in any desired use position that the previously described embodiments are capable of assuming. A pedestal support structure of the type illustrated in FIG. 3 is a primarily useful with table top sections of semi-circular shape or in situations in which the normal use position of the table is a fully open position with the abutting straight edges against a wall.

The improvements disclosed herein, in summary, provide a leg support structure for a portable multiposition folding table which maintains the table top sections with greater rigidity and stability than has heretofore been experienced while, at the same time, providing upper and lower locations of hinged attachment of each gate leg to its associated upright support section and providing upper and lower points of hinged attachment of each upright support structure to the other.

Having thus disclosed a number of embodiments of the invention, persons skilled in the art will be able to modify certain parts of the structure illustrated and to substitute equivalent elements for those which have been disclosed while continuing to practice the principle of the invention; and it is, therefore, intended that all such modifications and substitutions be covered as they are embraced within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

I. An improved leg support structure for a multiposition portable table including first and second rectangular table top sections, comprising: first and second upright support sections, each including upper and lower horizontal frame members adapted respectively to support a table top and to rest on the floor and extending along adjacent sides of said top, each section further including first and second vertical leg members rigidly secured between said upper and lower horizontal frame members at the outboard ends thereof; first and second hinge means connecting one end of each of said sections together adjacent the upper and lower frame members thereof; first and second gate leg sections associated respectively with said first and second upright support sections, and each including upper and lower horizontal frame members and a vertical leg sup port rigidly interconnecting the horizontal frame members at the outboard ends thereof; and third and fourth hinge means for interconnecting the inboard ends of each leg gate respectively to the upper and lower horizontal frame members of its associated upright support section, whereby each leg gate may be pivoted between a first storage position and a second use position; each gate leg having an overall vertical height less than its associated upright support section for being placed in a nested position in the same vertical plane as its associated upright support section when placed in storage position, whereby when said structure is placed in said storage position, the total width thereof is equal to only twice the width of one upright support section, said system further comprising upper and lower stop members connected respectively to the upper and lower ends of each leg gate and adapted to engage an associated upright support section when a leg gate is placed in a nested storage position, the upper stop members of each leg section being further adapted to engage and support an associated table top section, and the lower stop members of each leg gate being further adapted to engage a floor in supporting relation when said leg gates are placed in use position.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said table top sections are characterized in being rectangular in shape and having a longer side approximately twice the length of a shorter side, the longer sides of each table top section abutting when said table is set up in a fully closed 

1. An improved leg support structure for a multi-position portable table including first and second rectangular table top sections, comprising: first and second upright support sections, each including upper and lower horizontal frame members adapted respectively to support a table top and to rest on the floor and extending along adjacent sides of said top, each section further including first and second vertical leg members rigidly secured between said upper and lower horizontal frame members at the outboard ends thereof; first and second hinge means connecting one end of each of said sections together adjacent the upper and lower frame members thereof; first and second gate leg sections associated respectively with said first and second upright support sections, and each including upper and lower horizontal frame members and a vertical leg support rigidly interconnecting the horizontal frame members at the outboard ends thereof; and third and fourth hinge means for interconnecting the inboard ends of each leg gate respectively to the upper and lower horizontal frame members of its associated upright support section, whereby each leg gate may be pivoted between a first storage position and a second use position; each gate leg having an overall vertical height less than its associated upright support section for being placed in a nested position in the same vertical plane as its associated upright support section when placed in storage position, whereby when said structure is placed in said storage position, the total width thereof is equal to only twice the width of one upright support section, said system further comprising upper and lower stop members connected respectively to the upper and lower ends of each leg gate and adapted to engage an associated upright support section when a leg gate is placed in a nested storage position, the upper stop members of each leg section being further adapted to engage and support an associated table top section, and the lower stop members of each leg gate being further adapted to engage a floor in supporting relation when said leg gates are placed in use position.
 2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said table top sections are characterized in being rectangular in shape and having a longer side approximately twice the length of a shorter side, the longer sides of each table top section abutting when said table is set up in a fully closed use position. 